I’m using the Windows Live Writer to post this…. scary?
Second Edit: I have to admit, i’m impressed. It’s just an easy to use program with lots of application level features. Neato.
27
Jun
22
Apr
This past Saturday I tested for my general level amatuer radio license. I passed with only two missed (woo!). Rob tested for his technician and general and passed, and Havard tested for his general, also passing. Congratulations everyone!
I’ve been looking at some accessories for my current radio: Yaesu VX-170. I’ve also been looking at a mobile 2M/70CM rig, and some base stations for the house. I’d really like to hop on HF, but the upfront cost is the biggest limited factor right now. Apart from the transceiver, i’ll also need the antenna(s) to successfully transmit/receive for the bands. I’ve also been interested in packet radio, APRS, and AMSAT.
I’ve also got an ICOM IC-25A mobile that was manufactured in 1989 and doesn’t seem to operate properly. It won’t accept saves in the memory, and honestly i’m not even sure if it will receive at this point. On my projects/to do list is to build a copper J-Pole antenna, so once that’s up i’ll see what this old radio can do. Even still, it doesn’t support repeater tones (I think?), so I won’t be able to hop on the local repeaters anyway. Nonetheless it’s something fun to play with.
Last night I attended the Lamar Amatuer Radio Club (LARC). There were 14 in attendance (including myself), and it was interesting. The meeting started off with business and minutes from last months meeting, a treasures report, upcoming events, announcements, etc. Afterwards an educational piece on corrosion was displayed. The president and presenter, Randall, is a corossion engineer and went over corossion cells, what corossion really means, how to prevent it, types of materials, dissimilar metals/soils, and annodes and cathodes. It was really fascinating and I learned quite a bit. I’m looking forwards to next months meeting and the learning aspect of it.
04
Apr
Today I ran my first 5k ever. It was the “Quest for the Crest”, supporting Crest Disease and Scleroderma (Info link). To be honest, I barely trained, I maybe went out to run/walk 4 times in the past few weeks, but I still did it. My total time was 34:04. I got a burst of energy just as I rounded the final corner to the finish line, and sprinted in. Bonita and my little brother also did it, and they somehow both ended up getting medals 
Bonita got first place for walkers in the Female 20-29 category, and Aaron got second place in the Male 0-19 walkers category. Rob and Rory’s time was very close in the 27 minute-ish range, but I don’t remember exactly.
All in all I had a great time doing it, and I think I would like to actually train for one now. Since I have a beginning time, the only place to go now is faster!
17
Mar
27
Feb
Here’s a better picture of the home gym setup! We also installed the foam flooring in the room. It’s going to be great working out in there now. This weeks physical activities so far include:
Monday – Bike to work and back – 7.42 miles, Weight lifting
Tuesday – Run/Walk at local park – 25 minutes
Wednesday – Weight lifting
Thursday – Bike to work and back – 7.42 miles
Friday – Weight Lifting (Planned for tonight later)
On another note, why have I not been using the Flickr “Blog This” feature more often? These past two posts were from Flickr. Such an awesome feature!
24
Feb
I purchased a new bench and weight set for the house. The bench is a “Keys Fitness ST-IB”, and the weight set is a bundled 300lb package.
The weight set is a 45lb olympic sized bar and the following plates: 45lbs x 2, 35lbs x 2, 25lbs x 2, 10lbs x 2, 5lbs x 4, 2.5lbs x 2
So far it’s been great working out at home. This Thursday the foam gym flooring should arrive and the room will be finished. I’m going to keep building up the equipment as I can. The next thing will probably be dumbbells. I’ll buy a couple each month to finally make up the set. I’ve also been looking at resistance band systems such as Body Lastics.
12
Feb
Last night I registered for a Bodyspace on bodybuilding.com. My page is http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/rjaynes/. I suck at keeping postings to regular internet based things (this blog, facebook, etc.), but hopefully I can turn that around and actually use this. They also offer a “Body Blog” with each account, but I think i’ll keep my postings to this site instead. Stay tuned for updates!
31
Jan
It seems all I make now are diet updates and posts. This past week I had abulged disc problem (old injury, flared up!). I had to stop going to the gym for the entirety of it, as I could barely walk. The anti-inflammatories I was prescribed did the trick, and today I went riding with Rob on the trace. We went from the USM Gateway to Clyde Depot and back. It was about 15 miles. The ol’ back was great for the whole ride, and the day was beautiful.
This trip was also my first ride with the new saddle, jersey, and panniers I purchased. The new saddle is one of the lower end San Marco’s (link), but I really like it so far. It’s definitately an upgrade to the stock Schwinn saddle, and the large Bell saddle Bonita got me for Christmas last year. It also happens to be the thinnest saddle i’ve used yet, go figure.
Today was another “start over” days. Last night we had a big chocolate and margarita blow out. It was delicious to say the least, but i’m glad all of the chocolate is out of the house finally . Today’s food intake has been:
- Breakfast:
Eggs and Oatmeal (with flax seeds) w/ Orange Juice - Post Trace Ride:
Surge recovery drink - Lunch:
Turkey Chili with one piece of home-made cornbread - Afternoon Snack:
Strawberry protein shake, 3 fish oil caps, 3 fiber caps - Dinner:
Rotisserie chicken, brown speckled beans, 1 half corn on the cob
All in all I consider today a good day. Tomorrow i’ll have more protein shakes and hopefully we’ll go out for a walk. We’ve set a “mini” goal for ourselves of February 14th. Our next goal past that is March 11. On March 12th my company is having it’s annual goals and achivements dinner, and we want to make the previous day a goal for us. I promised Bonita a new dress if she makes her personal goal 
We have to iron out the details of both goals, which I think we’ll do tomorrow.
I’m wanting to start commuting to work on my bike next week. I really enjoy riding, and adding on that extra exercise will be a big plus. I need to get a helmet, front head light, and bike lock and i’ll be set. I don’t necessarily need the bike lock just for going to work as we can store our bikes inside, but anytime I may need to go somewhere i’ll need it.
23
Jan
So i’ve completely modified the diet. I eat 1-2 solid meals a day, but still 2-3 shakes a day. I’m trying to stay around 1500/1800 calories, and doing pretty good in those ranges. Also, on workout days I’m still using the Surge post workout drink. Last night I went nuts in the gym and it felt great. I’m feel fantastic this morning, even though it’s always hard to get up after a previous nights workout.
For now we’ve hidden our scale. I have to admit I was pretty bad about weighing every day, and not having the scale out in plain site is a relief. I’m going to keep up with my Sunday measurements, but just not weigh for a long while. This is also good for Bonita, she was feeling particularly chained to the thing .
06
Jan
Whew, these days were rough. I actually had to eat a solid meal each day. I felt so sick, and the last protein shakes of the day were making me gag. I just couldn’t force myself to drink it down, I tried! However, I feel fully renewed and am doing it complete again.
Part of this diet is to teach you self control, portion and intake control, and to try and springboard you into healthy eating for fat loss. I’ve relearned to do some of these things, and eating a solid meal every day or every other day that is clean and healthy doesn’t make me feel like i’m going against the diet. After the honeymoon I shot up in weight quickly, and now being back down around 200 lbs has helped re-energize me.
I can continue losing fat now, and stop eating bad
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